Men And Women Express Similar Power Profiles In Pull Motions But Not Push

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

Conference Title

American College of Sports Medicine - Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conference

Organization

American College of Sports Medicine

Location

Virtual

Date of Presentation

5-27-2020

Journal Publication

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

ISSN

0195-9131

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000675880.96859.77

Volume

52

Issue

7S

First Page

214

Abstract

Pushing and pulling occurs in athletic and nonathletic settings. Weaknesses in either movement could compromise sport performance or daily functioning. Determination of optimal load may aid in sport performance and reduce the risk of injury. PURPOSE: To determine power output differences between men and women using colinear resistance. METHODS: We enrolled 32 recreationally active men (n=14) and women (n=18), ages 18-25, to evaluate power profiles in horizontal and vertical push and pull exercises using Proteus (Proteus Motion, USA), which applies continuous, three-dimensional, concentric resistance. Subsequent data collection involved 2 repetitions with the dominant arm at 7lb, 14lb, 21lb, and 28lb in each exercise (32 total repetitions). Proteus software computed power output in watts for each set performed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures tested the differences in power output at each load. RESULTS: In both horizontal and vertical pull motions, there was a significant difference by load (p<0.001) and an interaction effect by sex (p<0.001). The expression of power was most similar between men and women at the lowest resistance horizontally (p=0.020) and vertically (p=0.038); both deviated more as weight increased. No plateaus were demonstrated in either motion; higher loads were required for both sexes to achieve peak power. In horizontal and vertical push motions, there was a significant difference by load (p<0.001) and an interaction effect with sex (p<0.001). Men and women were closest in power at 7lb horizontally (p=0.017) and vertically (p=0.004). Women experienced a plateau at 21lb; further change was insignificant both horizontally (p=0.147) and vertically (p=0.519). Men did not exhibit a plateau; power continued to increase from 21lb to 28lb (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, the power produced between sexes was similar in press motions, but differed in pulls. By assigning sex-specific training loads, athletes can optimize performance.

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